Event in today’s electronic world, acclaimed artist Carl Zachmann looks to the past for inspiration. Combining his experience and knowledge of history, archeology and engineering, Zachmann’s machine art reminds us of not just where we’ve been, but also where we are going. For his vision, Zachmann has been named the Featured Artist for the spring edition of Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival, to be held May 3-4, 2014, in Richardson’s Cottonwood Park.

“I am honored to be named the Featured Artist at Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival,” said Zachmann. “As the son of an artist, I spent much of my youth at art festivals both in my hometown and across the country so I recognize the value art can contribute to a community and our world. I am proud to be a part of it for Richardson.”

Born and raised in west central Minnesota, the land where lakes and woodlands meet the plains, young Zachmann frequented museums, both historic and artistic, and spent his spare time taking stuff apart to see how it worked. As a teenager, he visited abandoned farmsteads and dug through scrap yards. He would often return home with forgotten treasures, beginning a collection of artifacts that would later influence his academic and artistic work. He also spent time with a group of friends who restored vintage farming and industrial equipment, sparking an interest in America’s industrial past.

As a student at University of Minnesota, Zachmann briefly studied engineering and went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in archeology with a minor in art from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. He received a master’s degree in historical archeology from Illinois State University.

Today Zachmann’s interests and education are seen through the creation of his kinetic sculptures. Using his schooling in archeological research and his knowledge of engineering, Zachmann studied old archives and drafting books to learn how to recreate the curved spokes and odd shapes of gears made from before the Civil War to the early 1900s. The raw and painted steel gears are put in motion and set against a static background of found metal, paying homage to the Industrial Revolution in an increasingly technological world.

“I’ve always loved art and archeology, but when I was younger I thought I had to decide between my two passions,” said Zachmann. “I was conflicted until one day my father said, ‘You can always do art.’ That piece of advice helped me explore both my academic interests and my artistic choices.”

About Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival
Now in its 45th year, the semi-annual Cottonwood Art Festival is a juried show. Jurors have selected over 240 artists from 1,400 submissions to exhibit their museum-quality work at the festival. The artists compete in 14 categories: 2D Mixed Media, 3D Mixed Media, Ceramics, Digital, Drawings/Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metalwork, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood. Rated as one of the top art festivals in the United States, the prestigious show is the premier fine art event in North Texas.

The festival will be held Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cottonwood Park is located at 1321 W. Belt Line Rd., one block east of Coit Road in Richardson, TX.

Parking and admission are free.

The artists’ works are available for purchase, as are food and beverages.

The festival also features an interactive children’s area, ArtStop, for mini-Monets. Complete with life-size paintbrushes and staffed by more than 100 volunteers, ArtStop offers dozens of activities for children and their families to encourage imaginations to run wild.

Whether shopping for art, listening to music, enjoying the outdoors, or making art of your own – Cottonwood has something for everyone. For more information, go to: